Euphorbia plant named ‘PP0006’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Euphorbia milii  cultivar named ‘PP0006’ is disclosed, characterized by mainly pink flowers. The cultivar is commercially important as it flowers richly during cold, dark winter conditions. The new variety is a  Euphorbia milii , and naturally blooms continuously.

Latin name of the genus and species: Euphorbia milii.

Variety denomination: ‘PP0006’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program under the direction of the inventor, Adrianus Cornelis Dekker, a citizen of Holland. The objective of the breeding program was to produce plants of Euphorbia milii with better flowering under low light and cold temperature conditions. The seed parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Euphorbia milii ‘PP0087.’ The pollen parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Euphorbia milii ‘PP0093.’ The new variety was discovered January 2005 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from that crossing, in Monster, Holland.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘PP0006’ by vegetative cuttings was performed in Monster, Holland, in February 2005 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘PP0006’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘PP0006’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘PP0006’ as a new and distinct Euphorbia milii cultivar:

-   -   1. Rich flowering under dark, cold conditions.     -   2. Bright green foliage.     -   3. Unique pink and white flower coloration.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PP0006’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Euphorbia milii ‘PP0087’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘PP0006’ produce more flowers.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PP0006’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, Euphorbia milii ‘PP0093’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘PP0006’ have pink flowers with some white coloration, whereas the pollen parent has entirely white flowers.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PP0006’ are similar to plants of the commercial variety, Euphorbia milii ‘Pandora,’ unpatented, in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘PP0006’ differ in the following characteristics;

-   -   1. ‘PP0006’ produces more flowers under cold, dark conditions.     -   2. ‘PP0006’ produces a darker flower, especially under winter         conditions.     -   3. ‘PP0006’ produces a larger diameter flower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘PP0006’ grown in a greenhouse. The pot size is a commercial 15 cm container, approximately. The plant shown is approximately 15 weeks old. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘PP0006’ plants grown in a commercial greenhouse in Monster, The Netherlands from March 2007 to June 2007. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 21° C. at night to 23° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types. No chemical or photoperiodic treatments were given.

-   Botanical classification: Euphorbia milii cultivar ‘PP0006.’

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: 10 to 14 days at approximately 18° C. -   Root description: Fine, fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright tender perennial, suitable for indoor     ornamental use -   Height: Approximately 29.8 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 37.7 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Branching characteristics: Weak branching, characteristic of     species. -   Length of lateral branches: Approximately 7.1 cm. -   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 1.2 cm. -   Quantity of lateral branches: Approximately 3 primary lateral     branches. -   Texture of lateral branches: 5-angled, otherwise smooth. -   Color of lateral branches: Near RHS Green 143A. -   Aspect: Upright. -   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 6. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 15 weeks from a rooted     cutting.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple.         -   Average length.—Approximately 14.0 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 3.8 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute to abruptly acute.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Attachment.—Sessile.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.         -   Leaf internode length.—Approximately 0.7 cm.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near R.H.S. Green 143A.             Young foliage under side: Between RHS Green 143C and             Yellow-Green144A. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green             137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate Venation color upper side: Near RHS             Green 137B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green             146B. -   Petiole: Not present. -   Other characteristics: One large and two smaller thorns are placed     on each side of each leaf, average length of the primary thorn: 1.6     cm, average length of secondary thorns: 0.7 cm, average width of     primary thorn at base: 4 mm, average width of secondary thorns at     base: 2 mm, thorns pointed outward, colored near RHS Greyed-Orange     166B, base colored near RHS Green 143A.

FLOWER

-   Bloom period: Year-round, continuous. -   Bud:     -   -   Bud shape.—Spherical.         -   Bud length.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Bud diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Bud color.—Near Yellow-Green 145A/B.         -   Rate of opening.—Approximately 3 days from bud stage to open             flower. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Form.—Axillary, compound cyme.         -   Diameter of entire inflorescence.—Approximately 15.8 cm.         -   Depth of entire inflorescence.—Approximately 13.6 cm.         -   Quantity of individual flowers in inflorescence.—Avg. 9. -   Individual flowers:     -   -   Form.—Staminate flowers consisting of anthers only, no             petals, no sepals, each “flower” is supported by one             conspicuous gland. Individual (staminate) flowers are             grouped in five, supported by two conspicuous bracts.         -   Quantity per plant.—Avg. 126. Approximately 50% open at one             time.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.15 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm.         -   Aspect.—Upright to outward.         -   Duration on plant.—Approximately 1 week. Self-cleaning. -   Fragrance: None. -   Glands: Each individual staminate flower is supported by one gland.     -   -   Shape.—Kidney-shaped.         -   Length.—2 mm, average         -   Width.—4 mm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Orange N25A. -   Other floral characteristics: Flowers are grouped in five, supported     by two conspicuous bracts, -   Bracts:     -   -   Shape.—Orbicular to reniform.         -   Apex.—Top rounded to very short abruptly acute.         -   Base.—Reniform.         -   Length.—2.8 cm, average.         -   Width.—3.5 cm.         -   Texture.—Matte.         -   Color.—Upper side of immature bract: Near RHS Red 52B. Under             side of immature bract Near RHS Red 56B. Upper side of             mature bract: Near RHS Red 52A. Under side of mature bract:             Near RHS 56B, darker towards the margins; 55C. -   Peduncle: -   Peduncle length: Approximately 12.3. -   Peduncle diamter: Approximately 0.4 cm. -   Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Androecium:     -   -   Stamens.—1, branched and holding 4 anthers.         -   Anther length.—Approximately 0.05 cm.         -   Anther color.—Near Red; 46A, but darker. Filament colored             red 51A.         -   Pollen color.—Near Yellow 13C.         -   Pollen quantity.—Low. -   Gynoecium: Not present.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     diseases or pests has been observed in this variety. -   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Tender perennial. Tolerates     high temperature to at least 40° C. No drought tolerance or cold has     been observed. -   Fruit/seed production: Fruits and seeds are not produced. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Euphorbia plant named ‘PP0006’ as herein illustrated and described. 